A war of words has broken out in Kashmir. This year the disputed border region, long claimed by both India and Pakistan, enjoyed a relatively peaceful summer, until the announcement that a literature festival was to be…

Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak once famously described Israel as “a villa in the jungle”

Israeli defence minister Ehud Barak once famously described Israel as “a villa in the jungle” – a haven of democracy amid a swathe of dictatorial Middle East regimes. But as one revolution after another sweeps through the…

Turf wars are hardly a rarity in Israel. But a new beef brewing in Tel Aviv is pitting Jew against Jew in the battle for the city’s secular soul. The conflict began two years ago when Chabad – a Brooklyn-based ultra-ort…

The Iraq war has been big business for US military contractors (AKA mercenaries). But now, as the withdrawal of troops becomes imminent, firms are looking to Africa as the next lucrative source of revenue.

During the conflict in South Ossetia, western media were given free access by the Georgian government, while on the Russian side, foreign journalists were being either arrested or herded around by the military. In both…

As a thoughtful exhibition on images of war opens at Tate Modern in London, Monocle visits artist George Butler. His ink-and-watercolour scenes bring a new depth to reportage more often the preserve of combat photographers…

Five years ago, stood in the concrete shell of a building in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, I made a deal.

Five years ago, stood in the concrete shell of a building in Somalia’s capital, Mogadishu, I made a deal. When the war ended, once it was safe for people – both Somalis and foreigners – to walk around Mogadishu without the…

Serbian pilots are “dive bombing” Libyan protesters and Serbian mercenaries are being paid tens of thousands of dollars to fight for Gaddafi. You have to have to pity the poor Serbs here.

Serbian pilots are “dive bombing” Libyan protesters and Serbian mercenaries are being paid tens of thousands of dollars to fight for Gaddafi. You have to have to pity the poor Serbs here. In the modern world, the equivalent…

“I don’t see the possibility of serious developments in the market,” Seoul’s top financial regulator, Kim Jong-chang, told reporters when asked if growing tensions following the sinking of a South Korean warship would…

“I don’t see the possibility of serious developments in the market,” Seoul’s top financial regulator, Kim Jong-chang, told reporters when asked if growing tensions following the sinking of a South Korean warship would…

When he’s covering the world’s most dangerous conflict zones, from Afghanistan to Iraq and back again, celebrated war correspondent and author John Simpson frequently daydreams about fish and chips. He chooses London’s J…

“There are only two or three human stories,” said Carl Linstrum in Willa Cather’s novel O Pioneers!, “and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before; like the larks in this country that…

“There are only two or three human stories,” said Carl Linstrum in Willa Cather’s novel O Pioneers!, “and they go on repeating themselves as fiercely as if they had never happened before; like the larks in this country that…

The most recognisable face these days in Israel is that of a missing person.

The most recognisable face these days in Israel is that of a missing person. His name is Gilad Shalit, a 23-year-old corporal held captive for more than three years in Gaza by the Palestinian movement Hamas. The sensational…

To recline or not to recline? With several airlines grounding recent flights due to conflicts between space-starved passengers, Monocle’s Tristan McAllister calls for a little in-flight consideration… and more legroom.

In my time at Monocle transatlantic flights have been a necessary part of what gets me from our bureau in New York to our home office in London. At first it was exciting to cross an ocean for quick meetings or a week at…

In a show of girl power, Egyptian women are fighting back against the bottom pinchers and gropers who plague the region: self-defence classes for women are becoming increasingly popular and karate classes especially so.

After bidding farewell to 2014 – a year that was relentlessly inventive when it came to unfortunate global events – Monocle’s Daniel Giacopelli is hoping for a more calm and reflective 12 months to come.

Despite the efforts of those with power and pen to spray pine scent on the foul 12 months that was 2014, it will be remembered – at best – as a soul-crushing year. Think back, if it’s not yet a blur, to the sheer consist…

Japan’s territorial waters are vast and volatile, home to some of the most disputed islands in east asia. the Japan coast guard is tasked with policing the area. Monocle climbed aboard to see how they do it.